Any advice on caring for a Staghorn Hermit Crab?

[Eric55]

I just bought one of these. Does anyone have any advice about taking care of these crabs?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[plateboy3293]

Return it if you are puting it in a reef tank.

 

[MechEng99]

I'm in the same boat as you are. The bf brought one home for me and no one can seem to give any answers! How's the color on yours doing?

 

[Eric55]

The color is pretty much cream.

Why do you think I should I return it?

 

[MechEng99]

Mine was cream when I brought it home...and it's picked up a fairly nice neon pink color. I don't know if it's good or bad, but I've been target feeding him/the coral some filter feeder food...didn't know really what else to do. Figured it wouldn't hurt.

Staghorn crabs move around...carrying a coral...corals sting. If he was to touch another coral while walking around...well...not good perhaps.

Be careful b/c if he gets flipped upside down, he has no way to get back up if the coral on his back is large. Mine stays on the sand, so he doesn't fall or get knocked over until some other creature bumps him.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Several I've had have never been a problem and rarely climb.
The "coral" they live in is a hydroid colony.

Does anyone know how to keep the hydroid colony growing? It is a beautiful cream color at first, but turns dark as it dies. Mine eventualy get covered in coraline and the crabs move out into regular shells.

 

[MechEng99]

I thought hydroids were related to jellyfish in a weird distant way?